Electric switch



March 30', 1926.

G. W. OKEEFFE ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed July 5, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 2f 19. ff 56 March 30, w26. 3,578,354,

G. W., OKEEFFE ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed July 5, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 30, 1926o UNITD STATE istanti earanr ortica.

GEORGE W. OKEEFFE,- OF'DORCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, -ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE AS- SIGNMENTS, TO CONDIT ELECTRTCAL MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION 0F MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application llee July 3,

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. OKnnrrn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dorchester, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an electric switch particularly adapted, although not limited, w to the control of small induction motorsand has for an object to provide a switch having means to close the circuit rapidly, whereby to reduce arcing at the contact members at the instant of starting of the motor.

A further object is generally to improve the construction and 'operation of electric switches.

This invention is intended as an improvement on the invention disclosed in a co-pending application of George A. Burnham. Serial No. 572,527, tiled July 3, 1922 and assigned to Sears B. Condit.

Flg. 1 is a front elevation of an electric switchv embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side detail of the switch.

Fi 3 is a sectional elevation through the switdli.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the switch with` the cover removed from the casing.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the switch-operating mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a plan detail, partly in section, of the switch operating mechanism.

Fig. 7 is an end detail of the switch operating mechanism. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the support for the switch operating mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a linkmember of the operating toggle. Fig. 10 is a detail illustrating the action of the link-member in locking the toggle.

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the switch arranged for mechanical remote control.

As here shown, the electric. switch em- 5 bodying the invention includes the rectanguiar casing 10 formed preferably` of sheet metal and closed at the top by the removable cover 11. The side walls ofthe casing may have suitable o enings 12 and 13, or-be otherwise formed, t irough which suitable conductorsmay be passed Vfor connection with switch components. A supporting plate 14 of suitable insulating material, as porcelain, is received in the lower 1922. Serial No. 572,536.

portion of said casing and may serve as a partition to isolate the switch terminals and fuses contained in the/upper part of the casing from the switch members which are adapted to be immersed-in oil contained in the lower part of the casing.I Ears 15 are or may be formed-integrally with the side walls of the casing and are or may be relexed inwardly, and said plate 15 is received on and secured to said ears.

Said casing also includes the oil receptacle 16 which is received within the upper portion of the casing and depends therebelow and is adapted to contain oil in which the switch members are immersed. Said receptacle may be secured removably in position by the bolts 17.

rlihe switch members and operating mechanism are secured to the lower face of said supporting plate 14 and depend therebelow into the'oil receptable 16. The switch here shown is adapted to control a three phase circuit and has three sets of stationary switch members 17 and 18. Each of said switch members is or may be formed of relatively resilient strip material having reiexed upper end portions 17a and 18a which are received respectively in transverse channels 19 and 20 formed in the under face of the insulating supporting plate 14. Screws 21 and 22 are passed through said plate and the relexed ends of said switch members whereby to secure said switch members to the plate, and suitable conductors may be connected to the screws 22 on the upper side of said plate. Spring fuse clips 28 may be secured to said screws 21 on the upper :tace of said supporting plate and said clips are adapted to receive the cartridge fuses 25. Other spring fuse clips 26 may also be secured to the upper face of said supporting plate by suitable means as the screws 27 which may extend through said plate and `the heads thereof may be received in suitable recesses 28 in the lower face of said plate. Electric conductors may be connected to said fuse clips 26 by suitable attaching means as the screws 29 The lower ends of said stationary switch members are or may be ref'lexed outwardly and contact members 30 and 31 may be secured thereto.

The movable switch member is supported on a base plate 33 which is or may be rei by the screws 35 and 36 which pass through the corner of said plate and into and through the insulating plate 14. Said base plate 33.

is formed or provided with the intermediate integra-l and laterally-opposed depending ears 37, and end opposing and depending ears 38, both adapted to receive components of the switch operating mechanism. A sheet 40 of suitable insulating material, as press board for instance, is interposed between said plate 33 and the lower face of the depression 34 in said insulating plate, and conorms more or less to the shape of said depression and is adaptcd'to cover the screws 27, or other live conducting parts of the switch extended through the insulating plate and reduce the possibility of an are jumping from said screws or conducting parts to the plate 33.

A bracket which may have the two spaced arms 42 and the connectin and separating yas cross-member 43 all integral ly formed, is received on and depends from said plate 33 and may be secured thereto by the screws which may pass through the outwardly rc- Iiexed upper ends 44 of said arms 42. The

lower ends of said arms are formed with the aligned openings 45 therethrough adapted to receive a pivot pin 46.

The movable switch member includes a plate 5D which is received between the arms 42 and which has the opposed ears 51 at one end; and Said ears have aligned openings through which .sa-id pivot bolt 46 is passed loosely. The other end of said plate 50 is formed with the spaced ears 52 adapted to vreceive a link of the operating mechanism.

An arm 55 .is or may be secured to the lower face of said plate 50 by suitable means as the screws 56, and said arm extends outwardly beyond said plate 5()I and terminates in the forked ends 55". A bar 60 of suitable insulating material, as wood, is secured to the upper faces of said ends 55*l and spaced contact members 61 are carried by said insulating bar. Said contact members are formed, preferably, with the downwardly and outwardly reflexed end-portions 61I which are .adapted to engage and bridge the contact members 30 and 31 of the movable switch members 17 and 18; and said switch members are resilient and flex outwardly when said movable contact members61 are forced therebetween whereby to provide for a wiping contact.

A spring 62 is coiled about the extended ends of the pivot pin 46 and one end 62 thereof 'extends over and is in contact with the movable switch member. The other end 62b is arranged in engagement with said fixed supporting arms 42. Said spring is arranged to press the movable switch member constantly toward switch-closed position and its actin'is permitted or opposed by the switch operating mechanism;

The switch operating mechanism includes the operating shaft 65 which is extended through and rotatably supported in the ears 37 of said plate 33 and may be secured in position in said ears by suitable means as the cotter pins 66 extended through the shaft on op osite sides of said ears. DPrefeaably, said s aft is contained entirely withinr the switch casing. A key supported by said shaft and having the flat lin er-enfrageable portion 67 forms means by w ich tlie shaft may be rotated and said key hasa hub 68 which extends through an aperture 69 in the wall of the switch casing.v Said hub is formed with an internal recess in which the end of the shaft is loosely received and is also formed with a transverse slot 70 therein. a projection of said shaft 65, as the screw 71, is loosely received' in said slot 70 and forms meansby which said key is secured against unintentional detachment from the shaft and also means by which both are loosely 'connected and the shaft may rotate independently of the key.

A crank arm 73 is fixed to said shaft 65 intermediate the ears 37 of said plate 33 and links 74 are pivotally connected thereto by the pin 75. A link-member having the parallel and spaced arms 76 and the end-inte` gral connecting and separating member 76" at its upper end is pivotally connected at its upper end to the other end of said links 74 by the pin 77 and the lower ends of said arms 76 of thel link-member are pivotally connected to the movable switch member by a pin 78 passed through the ears 52 of the plate 50. Said connecting and sepa-retin" member 76n of the link-member isadaptec to serve as means to limit the movement of the movable switch member in both directions, as will hereinafter beset forth. A link 79 is also pivotally received on the pivot pin 77 and extends upward and is received etween and is pivotally connected to the ears 38 of the plate 33 by the pin v80. ASaid links 76 and 79 form members of a toggle by lhilch the movable switch member is opera e In the switch-open position, the operating mechanism is in the dotted line position illustrated in Fig.l 2 and the toggle 'isin an over-shot position and is held yieldingly in such position by the spring 62 which forces the connecting member 7 6l of thel link inember of the toggle against the link 79 of the toggle. The connection between the operat- SXT ates the switch closing movement but, after the toggle has passed beyond dead-center position the control is taken from the opei'- 1 ative and the spring 62 completes the switch-closing operation and moves the movable switch member rapidly into closed position. The rotation of the key in the reverse direction serves to move the movable switch member `against the action of the spring 62 toward open position at a rate dependent 'upon the rate of rotation of the key,'and said springvalso holds the switch in open position. ith this arrangement,

arcingbetween the cont-act members during `the switch closing lmovement is largely prevented.

vA ard 90 is disposed to enclose the key and s ield it, whereby to prevent accidental operation thereof, and said shield is, preferably, removably secured to the casing by suitable means, as the screws 91. The finger portion 67 of the key is or ma with the apertures 92, and sai guard may have the apertures 93 therein; and the hasp of a padlock 94 may be passed through said apertures y93 and anaperture in the key whereby to lock theswitch in set position, as for instance, open position.

The switch may may be removed and a bar y to 'said operatin key by suitable means as screws 96 passe through said b ar and the apertures in said key, Fig. 11; and said bar may be formed with a plurality of apertures 97 spaced at different distances from the center of the operating shaft whereby to provide for connection with suitable remotely-extended switch-operating means.

.The construction herein` shown may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

,I claim: v ,Y

1. In an electric. switch, a movable switch member including a pivoted arm, a spring connected with' said arm arranged to urge said arnif to switch-closed position, and means to open the switch including a toggle member connected with said arm, and means to straighten said toggle, whereby to hold the switch open, inclu ing an operating shaft having a crank` arm, and a link connecting said crank arm and toggle.- .i

'2. An electric switch including a supporting plate, stationary switch members depending therefrom, a movable switch member pendin be formed be arranged for remote control and for this purpose, the guard 90 95 may be secured 'ing supporting plate,

including a pivoted arm carried by andbelow said plate and having means to bias it for movement toward switcli-closed position, and switch-operating mechanism arranged to open the switch including links comprising a toggle pivotally connected with said arm and with said supporting plate, and means to straighten said toggle, whereby to hold the switchopen, including an opeiatiiig shaft, and a link connecting said operating shaft and toggle.

3. An electric switch including a support-- ing plate, stationary switch members depending therefrom, a bracket secured to and depending below sai-d plate, a movable switch member including an arm pivotally connected with said bracket, a spring carried by said bracket "and bearing against said arm, and arranged to bias said arm for switch-closing movement, links comprising a toggle connected with said arm and said supporting plate and means to operate said togglewhereby to effect movement of said arm between open and closed position of the switch.

4. An electric switch including a supporty ing plate, stationary switch members detherefroni, a bracket secured to and depending below said plate, a movable switch member including an arm pivotally connected witlrsaid bracket, a spring carried by said bracket and bearing against and urging said arm toward said stationary switch members, links comprising a toggle connected with said arm and said supporting plate, and operating means for said toggle arranged. to straighten said toggle to hold said arm in switch open position against the action of-said spring, and break said toggle to permit said spring tomove said arm to switch closed position.

. 5. An electric switch including a supporting plate, stationary switch members depending therefrom, a bracket secured to and depending below said plate, a movable switch member including an arm pivotally connected with said bracket, a spring carried by said bracket and bearing against and urging said arm toward said stationary switch members, links comprising a toggle connected with said arm and said supporting plate, and egperating means for .said toggle arrang to straighten said toggle to Vhold said arm in switch open position against the action of said spring and break said toggle to permit said spring to move said arm to switch closed position, said operating means comprising an operating shaft and a link connecting said shaft and said toggle.

6. An electric switch including an insulattwo stationary switch members depending from one side of said plate, a base plate secured to the lower face of said supporting platev at one side of said stationary switch members, and a movable switch member and switch-operating mechanism carried by said base plate, said movable switch member extended laterally in one direction beyond said base plate into a position beneath' stationary switch members.

7. An electric switch including an insulating supporting plate having electrical conducting members extended through it and expose-d at the lower face of said plate, stationary switch members depending from said supporting plate, a base plate secured to the lower face of said supporting plate, adapted to support components of the switch, and an insulating sheet interposed between said supporting and base plates to cover the exposed conducting members in said supporting plate.

8. An electric switch including an insulating supporting plate having electrical conducting members extended through it and exposed at the lower face of said plate, stationary switch members depending from Said supporting plate, a base plate secured to the lower face of said supporting plate, adapted to support components of the switch, and an insulating sheet secured over the lower faceof said supporting plate to cover the exposed conducting members in said supporting plate.

9. An electric switch including stationary and movable switch members and switch operating mechanism including an operating shaft, a toggle connected with said movable switch member and arranged to be set to hold the switch open, an operating member loosely connected with said operating shaft to rotate it in a switch closing direction and break said toggle, and. means released for operation by the breaking of the toggle arranged to close the switch independently of said operating member.

10. An electric switch including stationary and movable switch members and switch operating mechanism including an operating shaft, an operating member loosely connected with said operating shaft to rotate it, a toggle connected with said movable switch member and arranged to-be set to hold the switch open, and means released for operation by the' breaking of the toggle arranged to close the switch and rotate said operating shaft independently of said oper'- ating member.

11. In an electric switch, an insulating supporting plate, a base plate carried by said supporting plate, a bracket secured to said base pla-te, a movable switch member comprising an arm pivotally connected with said bracket, links comprising a toggle pivotally connected to said arm, said base plate having two sets of integral ears to one set of which said toggle is pivotally connected, an operating shaft: rotatably received in said other set of ears, and means operably connecting said operating shaft and toggle.'

12. In an electric switch, the combination of a supporting plate, stationary switch members, a movable switch member cooperating with said'stationary switch members, switch operating mechanism associated with said movable switch member, and a pivotal support for said movable switch member having two spaced arms and an intermediate connecting and separating member integrally formed with said arms, the upper ends of said arms having means for pivotal connection with said movable switch member, and the lower ends of said arms having laterally rellexed portions supported b v said supporting base.

13. In an electric switch, the combination of stationary switch members, a movable switch member cooperating with said stationary switch member including an arm having integrally formed reflexed ears atits opposite ends extended in opposite directions, a member secured to said arm and eX- tendcd outwardly beyond one end of said arm, Contact members carried by said member, a supporting bracket pivotally connected with one set of ears of said aim, and switch operating mechanism pivotallyconnected with the other set of ea-is of said arm.

`14. In an electric switch, the combination of stationary and movable switch members, and switch opera-ting mechanism including link-members comprising a toggle, an opeiating shaft having a crank arm, a link connecting said crank arm with said toggle, and means carried by one of said link members of said toggle arranged to engage the other link-member of the toggle to hold the switch in open position and engage the crank arm of said operating shaft to tix the switch-closed position of the movable switch member.

15. -In an electric switch, the combination of stationary and mo 'able switch members, and Switch-operating mechanism including link-members comprising a toggle associated with the movable switch member, one of said link-members having two spaced and parallel arms and an integral end connecting and separating member.

16. In an electric switch, the combination of stationaryand movable switch members, and switch operating mechanism includinvr link-members comprising a toggle associated with the movable switch member, one of said link-members having two spaced and parallel arms and an integral end connecting and separating member, an operating shaft having a crank arm, and a link connecting said crank arm with lsaid toggle,

said connecting and separating member of said link-member of said toggle arranged to engage the other link-member of the toggle to hold the toggle in straightened position whereby to hold the switch open,^and engage lato' ing Latisana said cra-nk arm whereby to limit the move.- ment of the movable switch member in switch-closed position.

17. An electric switchV including an enclosing casing, switch operating mechanism disposed within the casing including an operating shaft, a. key extended through an aperture in said casing and connected loosely with said operating shaft, whereby said sha-ft may rotate independently of said key, and a guard secured removably to said casin position to enclose said key.

18. An electric switch including an enclosing casing, switch operating mechanism disposed within the casing including an op.- erating shaft, a key extended through an aperture in said casing, a guard secured to said casing in position to enclose said key, and means to lock said key toy said guard.

19. An electric switch including an enclosing casing, switch operating mechanism disposed Within the casing including an operating shaft, a key extended through an aperture in' said casing and connected loosel .with said operating shaft, whereby said aft may rotate independently of said key,

and a guard secured removably to said casing in position to enclose said key, said guard having an aperture through a wall thereof, and said key having an aperture ijnd both adapted to receive a locking mem- 20. Operating mechanism for switch comprising a supporting cluding a base having an arm extended therefrom, a switch arm pivoted to said extended arm, a spring connecting said bracket and pivoted arm and arranged to bias said pivoted arm for movement in one direction, a toggle member connecting said pivoted arm and base and arranged to move said pivoted arm in one direction against the laction of said spring, an operating shaft havin an offset, a link connecting said toggle an oifset, wherebv to actuate said toggle, and means to loc c said toggle substantially in set condition, whereby to hold said pivoted arm against movement by said spring.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

GEORGE W. OKEEFFE.

an electric bracket in- 

